UFC 238 results and highlights: Xiaonan outguns Hill, Wineland KO’s Popov

Check out the results and highlights from the UFC 238 ESPN+ prelims, including a big knockout finish by Eddie Wineland.

The ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass portion of the UFC 238 just wrapped up with Xiaonan Yan outgunning Angela Hill to win a unanimous decision. Xiaonan has now won all four of her UFC fights. Before that, Darren Stewart scooped up a unanimous decision over Bevon Lewis. Stewart has won three of his last four UFC outings. Also on the prelims, longtime MMA veteran Eddie Wineland picked up a second round knockout of UFC newcomer Grigorii Popov. This win snaps a two-fight losing skid for Wineland. Opening up the card, the #2 ranked women’s flyweight Katlyn Chookagian picked up a rather uneventful unanimous decision over the #6 ranked Joanne Calderwood.

ESPN+ prelims:

Xiaonan Yan def. Angela Hill by unanimous decision (29-28 x3): Strawweight

The strawweights went toe to toe right away, exchanging punches. Hill changed levels and snagged a takedown, but opted to stand back up. After ending up on her back off of botching a takedown, Hill went to her guard game. Hill locked up a tight triangle, but Xiaonan was able to hold on until the bell. Xiaonan started the second round hot, blasting Hill with a side kick and following up with a flurry. Hill seemed to be a bit fatigued and wasn’t moving as snappy as she was in the first round. Hill marched forward in the final round, and Xiaonan was ready to engage. The firepower that Xiaonan was packing was more substantial than the offense of Hill.

Darren Stewart def. Bevon Lewis by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2): Middleweight

Stewart opened the bout with a set of buckling leg kicks. The bout quickly turned into a war of attrition in the clinch. Lewis was able to stall his opponent up against the cage, but didn’t really dish out much damage with the position. In open space, it was Stewart who was landing the strikes. The second round spent a lot more time in open space, but the output wasn’t exactly overwhelming. Neither man took over. Lewis stalled Stewart out against the fence in the third, but again was unable to do anything with it. The crowd really grew restless.

Eddie Wineland def. Grigorii Popov by KO at 4:47 of round 2: Bantamweight Wineland.

Wineland pressured right away, backing up Popov and putting hands on him. Popov stayed on the back foot, landing a couple knees to the chin when he wasn’t getting bombed on. Wineland rocked his foe, but was unable to convert before Popov recovered. Popov started strong in the second act, hurting Wineland with the hands right away. Wineland regrouped, and got back to his boxing. Popov showed a tremendous beard and a ton of heart, but Wineland would not let up. He continued to pour on the punches, dropping his foe with a series of right hands. The referee stepped in to prevent any further damage.

Katlyn Chookagian def. Joanne Calderwood by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2): Flyweight

The flyweights opted to keep the opening round standing. Chookagian was throwing plenty of volume, but wasn’t connecting nearly as much as Calderwood was. Chookagian came alive in the second round, connecting much more frequently than she did in the first. Calderwood was able to score a takedown, but didn’t do much with it besides control her opponent. Chookagian went to her corner with a large hematoma on her forehead. The final round was back and forth, without either athlete really having any wow moments.